Loaded sprinkler heads

We had a government facility built in 2012 that has an office at one end, open air bays in the middle, and a closed in garage at the other end. The entire facility shares the same roof. The open air section is used to store our road repair equipment when not in use. There is a pre-action system that covers the whole facility. We have been recently cited by our sprinkler inspection company for having loaded heads in the open air bay area. There are a number of heads that have an accumulation of spider webs and the associated debris. I venture to say that we have had this issue from the inception of the building yet this is the 1st time that we have been tagged for this issue. It has been noted on previous reports with the understanding that they could be cleaned this week and need to be cleaned again the next.

Was it necessary for them to tag us for this issue and if so how can the problem be avoided? We will have to increase our budget considerably if we are required to clean these heads each quarter.

I would say the maintenance requirements for sprinklers in Table 5.1.1.2 of NFPA 25 used for the for the periodic inspection, testing, and maintenance references Section 5.4.1.7 that has the requirements for sprinkler maintenance used for protecting commercial-type cooking equipment and ventilating systems.

I looked very closely at that Table and did not see any quarterly cleaning of sprinkler heads in a general sense. I know of no reliable way that a technician can clean sprinkler heads in place without a potential of damaging the heads. If heads get damaged because of the cleaning, the facility will most likely not have the budget for replacements. I would have an expert technician clean the heads if necessary to meet some obscure regulation. At least facility may have some resource if the heads get damaged.

I can not speculate on the local building code and inspection regulations for maintenance and inspections of sprinkler heads.

Maybe they adopted something about cleaning the sprinkler heads. I would check with the local jurisdiction about this building regulation. It appears the inspector is not going out on his own on this requirements and must have been directed by the AHJ.

I may have missed something here. So please other viewers, you may need to correct me.